Chambers, Catherine. American Indian Stories and Legends.

Chambers, Catherine.  American Indian Stories and Legends.  Capstone/Heinemann  2014      48p   ISBN 978-1-4109-5469-5  series: All About Myths  ms  E-BN   Mythology 

Myths and stories of various Indian tribes from the Americas are presented with related information.  Myths and legends are differentiated from each other, and   stories are grouped by topic.  The introduction differentiates between myth and legend. In each section, some characters from the whole range of Native American tribes are introduced, and then there is a story  from one tradition.  The stories are grouped by genre.  Creation, heroes and villains, cunning tricksters, and death and the afterlife are the story genres covered.  There are special blocks of extra information titled “Did You Know”, “Who’s Who”, and “Myth Links.”

Whereas only one story for each genre is included in this book, the extra information gives a picture of the range of related stories.  This title is an excellent way to introduce readers to the rich realm of  Native American literature.  There are not many titles available that introduce readers to the full range of American Indian stories.  This title provides a good introduction and will lead interested readers to dig deeper. 

The All About Myths series includes three titles: American Indian Stories and Legends, Chinese Myths and Legends, and Greek Myths and Legends.

Summary: Myths and stories of various Indian tribes from the Americas are presented with related information.  Myths and legends are differentiated from each other, and   stories are grouped by topic.  

Native Americans-Stories                                    --Joan Theal

Chambers, Catherine. African Myths and Legends.

Chambers, Catherine.    African Myths and Legends.    Capstone/Heinemann      2013 48p    ISBN 978-1-4109-4971-4  series: All About Myths ms  Hardback  VG  Nonfiction

This visually appealing volume in the All About Myths series aims to make the myths and legends of cultures throughout the African continent accessible to ‘tween readers by exploring the gods, goddesses, heroes, villains, tricksters, and quests that make African myths and legends so compelling.  This is not a subject that is often paired with this age group.  The book is neither a children's picture book nor an exhaustive encyclopaedia; instead, it mixes dramatic retellings of select myths with factual information to give readers an intriguing glimpse into the variety of myths of the African continent.  There is not a great deal of organization to the volume, so it can be difficult to tell which culture produced which myth.  However, there are further additional resources suggested that readers can take advantage of independently if they wish to know more about a particular figure or legend.  There is a pronunciation guide and a list of key figures at the end; however, both are extremely limited and do not sufficiently address their intended subjects.  Truly, it is the excellently matched colors and well-selected photos that help prevent this book from being a somewhat disorienting chore to read.  

This series of four volumes mixes dramatic retellings and non-fiction information to give a full picture of a culture’s myths, exploring gods, goddesses, heroes, villains, tricksters, and quests.  Given the unique combination of subject matter and intended age group, this is probably a good volume to have in most libraries, since it is a good starter resource for students writing reports.    

Summary: Part of the All About Myths series, this volume explores the myths and legends of various African peoples in brief chapters filled with colorful photographs and illustrations.     

African myths                                               --Bethany Geleskie

Chambers, Catherine. African Culture.

Chambers, Catherine.  African Culture.   Capstone/Heinemann  48p  $32.00 

978-1-4329-6776-5     2013  elm/ms  E-BNes      series: Global Cultures            

The diversity and wonder of Africa come alive in this short portrait of African culture.  To create a book that can successfully combine so many different aspects of this hugely varied continent is a feat in itself, and author Catherine Chambers has done just that.  Chambers weaves the most interesting information about both ancient and modern times into a book that has a high interest level for younger readers who want to learn the basics.  To begin, one learns the definition of culture.  On the adjoining page, a photograph of a Masai herdsman sporting traditional garb colorfully entices readers to move forward.  The definition is followed by chapters on family, customs, religious beliefs, fine arts, performance arts, and modern times.  When Chambers wants to discuss something in East Africa, as she does with the age grade system of education, she compares it with information about schools in West Africa.  In addition, if she identifies a cultural tradition of one nation, she offers a contrasting piece of information about another nation.  This method is not unique, but Chambers does it so well!  Every page has a border of tapestry which seems to coordinate perfectly with the photograph she has chosen to complement her text.  Every chapter offers anecdotal information in a section called “Did you know?,” which is interesting and informative.  Finally, one finds a timeline, a cultural map, a glossary and a list of resources to consult that provides readers with resources that will get them reading more about Africa.  All in all, this book is a wonderful way to introduce readers to the excitement and diversity of Africa.  

The series provides books about Africa, Native Americans, China, Australia and more.  Each book aptly covers a wide range of information about each culture, offers photographs and anecdotal information to enhance its topic and promotes instruction of social studies through its interesting contrasts.                                            --Martha Squaresky

Dying to Know You

Chambers, Aidan   Dying to Know You        

Amulet see Abrams, Harry      2012  275p  $16.95      978-1-4197-0165-8       hs/adult    VG      Realistic Fiction

Karl is a moody, confused young suitor who is coping with a deep depression due to the death of his father, with whom he shared an extraordinary bond.  At the request of his girlfriend Fiorella, he writes letters to her fielding questions that she has posed, all designed to bring him out of his shell.  As a victim of dyslexia and a profound inability to express himself, Karl seeks the help of Fiorella’s favorite British author, who not only helps him write the letters, but also helps him through his depression.  Karl is a young man of many talents that unfortunately do not include communication skills, but his intellect shines in less obvious endeavors such as chess, fishing and rugby.  While on a camping trip, Fiorella learns of the deception that Karl and the author have perpetrated on her and breaks off her relationship with Karl, sending him into a tailspin of depression that almost leads him to suicide. 

This story is one of friendship as well as self-discovery, and both protagonists struggle to move forward after devastating blows to their psyches.  (The author who helps Karl has suffered from writer’s block since the death of his wife.)  Both men learn that to survive one must find one's passion, and in Karl’s case, he discovers sculpting.  At the same time Karl has unwittingly provided his new friend the author inspiration for his one true love, which is writing.  The dialogue is unique and the story inspirational.  Aidan Chambers wields a writing style that makes his readers think about life, the value of friendship, and the joy of finding one’s way back from despair to hope.
Errors:  On page 30, “The job neatly lay out … "(If this is dialect, students will not comprehend.)  On page 117, “I went to bed in querulous mood."
Martha Squaresky  Friendship, Romance, Depression